Borders Summer Reading Challenge Giveaway

I have always had a love for reading and I think it had to do with my dad. He read to me every night before we said our prayers. Then as our family grew, he read to all of us. It was amazing that no matter how tired he was he always did this with us until we were old enough to read on our own. Then we went to bed and read on our own, I came to love reading so much that I always had a book in my hands, I love to read on the bus, in the bath tub and sometimes while I’m walking. My husband reads and walks too!

Now that we have kids of our own we’re trying to encourage that love of reading in them. We seem to have it easy so far, which makes me think that kids follow by example. At least our kids do, and I’m not naive I understand that it could change any day now.

To help you get your children reading we are providing tips every week. Last weeks tip was from Jon Scieszka, author of Robot Zot and Knucklehead: Tall Tales and Almost True Stories of Growing up Scieszka. This week you have me and HarperCollins.

Tips From Me:

Be an example to your children, read your own books in front of them.

Read out loud to your kids often, at least one book a day.

Tip From HarperCollins:

“Encourage your children to read books about people and who are different from them. In fact, Katherine Paterson, recently named National Ambassador for Children’s Literature by the Library Of Congress and author of many award-winning books for children, including Bridge to Terabithia says, “I began reading on my own very early because I knew the magic that books held, and when I came to the United States and was regarded as alien by my classmates, books provided me with friends who helped me to understand myself and to have compassion for other people. So I urge everyone to read for your life–for enjoyment and knowledge and as a member of a family and a citizen not only of your community but of the world.”

To Enter:

Advertise this giveaway on any giveaway site, your blog, and tell me where you advertised it or Use any of the share options below, digg, stumble (1 entry each)

The contest will run until July 1st 11:59 pm Pacific. All rules can be found under giveaway rules.

Borders and HarperCollins teamed to provided me a Borders gift card in exchange for my posts about the Double-Dog Dare Summer Reading Challenge. It does not affect the fact that I believe in reading to my kids.

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In my opinion the best way to encourage a child, or anyone really, to read is by letting them do it all on their own. Let them pick the book and read when they want to. Nothing puts kids off more to reading then forcing them to read something they don’t like.

Check out your local library. Normally they have a free summer reading programs that include arts and crafts, presentations and some form of rewarding the kids for reaching goals of reading so many books.

I think that leading by example is the best … it’s how I got interested in reading … when I was little (like 4 years old), I would see my mom and dad reading and I wanted to know (in the worst way) what they saw in those books so I would pretend that I could read, too. By the time I got to school … I was so ready to learn.

When I was young, my dad encouraged me to read by planning father-daughter trips to the bookstore! We would have fun picking out fun book and then each read our respective book together, thus associating reading time with fun! I would definitely use this method as well!

I would encourage kids to read by catering to their interests (choosing subjects that they would like) and setting up a fun/relaxing place to read that’s conducive to good reading conditions. Lots of pillows, beanbags, etc with appropriate lighting. It’s also good to teach by example; if you set aside 30 minutes (or 15 or 60 – however many minutes are appropriate for the age of child that’s reading) to read together, even if they’re different books, it shows that you find it to be important.

I encouraged my children to read by reading to them pretty much from day one as infants. By the time my oldest was 3 years old, he was reading himself. Now both my boys love to read, and so do I! Thanks!

I encouraged my son to read by letting him pick books that he was interested in. We would also try to make field trips out of books he read – eg He was reading the Thomas books, we went to a train museum and took a train ride.

I use lots of incentives, but one way I am doing it is that in order to earn game time or TV time, my daughter will have to read a certain amount. I haven’t determined yet, but at least 15 minutes to earn 30 minutes. I think she’ll be up for the challenge!

I would encourage children to read by having them watch movies based on the books first. Purists may scoff, but it has been my experience that movies based on books will piqué a Child’s interest. My nephew hated reading until the Harry potter movies were released. I bought him the book set and he has been hooked ever since.

My son has done such a great job of encouraging reading with his four children, I would like to share some tips that he used to make good readers..and chidren who love reading. 1. Start early. Surround your child with books. Once he had 4 children, they were on a ongoing relationship with the public library…they took a laundry basket to return and get new books. Preschoolers were read to but also “read” on their own during family reading times when every member of the family got a book and read. He also read books to all the children that were above their reading level and developrd their vocabulary and my dil took the lead in instructing each child in reading skills. By the time they went to school they were reading and had a real head start for success. A good reader will want to read

i stocked up on lots of books based on my sons current interest, it had been cooking so we had a book called mud pies and stone soup…now he loves thomas so we have tons of books on him..he now loves his books before bedtime because it’s sortof a continuation of his playtime through reading
nannypanpan at sbcglobal.net

I encourage the boys to read by making it fun to go to the library every week. Everything turns off at 8:00 in our house so they can read in bed until they want to sleep. I read to them and if we read a book that was turned into a movie we watch that after and talk about the differences between the book and the movie.

My 7yo daughter loves to read. She just started the classic Black Beauty. She reads 5 chapters daily. She then has to write a chapter summary after each chapter. She loves to read the summaries to me, which in turn encourages her to keep reading.

I encouraged my kids to read by reading to them. We always had a bookcase full of books for them and I also took them to the library for storytime and to check out books and games. Both of my sons love to read and now I’m reading to my granddaughter.
Thanks for the chance to win!

We always read to our daughter at night (for a good chunk of time) and suggest looking at books throughout the day if she gets at all bored with something. The more she’s exposed to it (and encouraged to do it) the better!

i encourage my toddler to read by reading to him almost every day… sometimes 2 and 3 books at a time. I ask him to tell me about the pictures and what’s going on and what he thinks will happen next. And to tell me the letters and numbers in ABC and counting books (since he is learning these) and then I tell him he is reading to me!!

I encourage my daughter to read by reading to her every night before bed and by regularly taking her to the library to pick out books she wants to read. I am also a librarian, and I encourage kids to sign up for our summer reading programs where there are prizes as incentives.

I think enthusiasm goes a long way. So does setting a good example. If a child sees you reading a lot, they aren’t as intimidated by it. I like to get a child’s imagination going by asking them to make up the rest of the story. (“What do you think happens next?”) Then we keep reading to see how the book turns out.

I feel if you start reading to your children young then they grow to love reading! I also think explaining the importance of reading and that it helps in all subjects in school will also help encourage your child to read!

We always made a game out of it. I would read and my daughter would draw a picture about what I was reading. The we would see how close her drawing was to the books drawing. After a while she wanted to do the reading and have Mommy draw.petsandthepeople@gmail.com

I get my daughter to read by reading the same book she is at the same time. Then we can discuss what’s happening. She likes to try to stay ahead of me so she can know what’s going to happen before I do. This really works.
dolniaks[at]consolidated[dot]net

Oh, I try some new technique every time to make my both girls read. They are 6 and 7.5. I put timer, sit by them and make them read , have them participate in various reading programs, take them to book stores and library at least once a week.

I encourage my kids to read by reading to them and by starting a family book club of sorts, where we each have assignments each week and share the books we read on Friday. If there is a book that anyone particularly enjoyed, the rest of the family reads it for the following week!

The best way is to read to your kids. Start as soon as they show interest. Usually around 6 months of age. Whatever they are interested in. It doesn’t have to be a kids book. Whatever they want me to read to them, I do.

A great way to get children to read is to pick up books with characters they are already familiar with from TV or movies. Eventually it may turn around and they will read the book first and THEN see the movie!

I encourage a child to read by offer them some fun books that were also made into films, so thy can read the book first then have the fun of watching the film afterward to see how they are the same/different.

I think you’re right — kids learn by example. If their parents read, the kids usually read. Also, let them follow their interests and read in any form – magazines, comics, etc. The more practice they get at reading (anything) the easier it will be and the more they will enjoy it. Have plenty of reading material around — Reader’s Digest is great, kids love the jokes!

I would encourage a child to read by example. IMHO, that’s the best way to teach children anything. If you read often and obviously enjoy it, your child will do the same. If you never pick up a book, don’t expect your child to do so, either.

When my children were younger I read to them every night. We also participate in our libraries Summer Reading program. I also agree that letting your children see you read is very helpful. My daughter loves to read! During the school year she takes a book to school every day to read during her free time.

I encourage my boys to read by setting aside reading time several times per day and at bedtime. I get MANY books about whatever they find interesting, dinosaurs and the solar system for my 5 year old and anything about cars trains or planes for my 3 year old. We read other types of books too but having books about things they love keeps them coming back for more.

I encouraged my daughter to read by reading to her a lot, and taking her to our public library and letting her pick out lots of great books herself. I also always read a lot, and set that example for her.

My children see that I enjoy reading and, in turn, like doing it themselves. I also have them signed up for the library summer program where they will get prizes for reading books. Thanks.
partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com

Let me see…how to encourage a child to read. Well I think it could help to find books that they are interested in: like a TV show, trains, dolls, etc. Plus, at a small age, I remember I used to buy those books with the pictures in the middle. It always seemed to motivate me to get to the middle of the book so I could enjoy that little glimpse of colour (though I’d sneak a peek the moment I opened the book xD). Yeah, the reading aloud to children is a good idea.

My 7 year old son is a math wiz, but when it comes to reading, he has to work hard at it. To encourage my son to read we have him read at least 30 minutes outloud to an adult family member every day. He gets choose the book he wants to read and we have over a 100 books for him to choose from. He also goes to the Library once per week to get other books that he would like to read.

I don’t have to encourage my 4 yr old to read, he reads several times a day. To get my other two boys reading over the summer I found a number of summer reading programs that offer rewards for daily reading: Chuck e. Cheese’s, Borders, barnes & Noble, HEB foods.

Let them start with comic books, but monitor which comic books they read. Then let them gear up to series like Harry Potter or Eragon. They will find that they like to read and give them the time to do so by limiting the time in front of a TV or game or computer. You can even have a family book club where you can assign a chapter to read and then discuss among the family (friends are invited too).

Make books available in their rooms and limit time of TV/Game play. They have a period of time each day where they lay down to rest and read a book. My youngest is still learning to read and we spend time each day reading together.
rsj2000mrs at gmail dot com

We are ready to head out on vacation. We had each chld pick out a new book that they’d like to read. It’s still in the bag, but ready to pack. Our rule is that the book may not be opened until we are on our way. The boys are excited about their new book, and we have some quiet traveling time in the car

Kids love to read out loud! I have always read with them,taking turns and then talking about what we read. The older kids felt so special and the younger ones loved listening. It is a great way to get the kids reading!
Thanks

i love to read…
we have several books for the baby that we hope will encourage him to read as he gets older.
Right now, my stepsons are here for the summer… and i have them read to their baby brother as much as i can…
they all seem to enjoy it!

I already encourage children to read by making almost every gift I get a young child an age-appropriate book, and I try to get them to sit with me and read it once they open it, circumstances permitting. Reading is SO important for little ones.

I think encouraging a child to read means letting go of any prejudices against material. You may think Harry Potter or Twilight have subjects that are controversial. But it gets kids to read 300-600 pages books. That’s impressive.

I have always read to my child at bedtime, since she was an infant. Now, she’s in second grade and is a reluctant reader. My deal to her for this summer is if she reads me a book I will play a board game with her.

All of my kids LOVE books so I don’t need to do much to encourage them to read! One of my daughters will read books while she should be napping. I usually go in after she’s gone to sleep to collect all the books off her bed and under her face!

I’d encourage them to read by reading in a way that is fun for them- let them pick the surfing magazines if that’s what they really want to read or let them pick out a recipe they’d like to try and read it to you as you both prepare it.

my mom always used to take us to the public library. the kids sections was always colorful, and fun to explore. plus it was so fun to be able to pick out your own books, and have a litle responsibility. i think that helped turn me into an avid reader.

I encourage my daughter to read a series of books – that way she wants to continue each book til she gets through the series. She is reading The Little House on the Prairie Series right now and is doing very well for a 2nd grader!

I encourage my girl to real all summer by offering her incentives for new books every week when she finishes her current one. She is always anticipating her next new book, and we always ride to books-a-million on fridays and pick out one for her.

I work at a school and I have found that when I read and am excited about the book, it makes the students excited. Kinda leading by example. At one point in time, I as well as 6 other kids were all reading harry potter and talking about it at lunch.

I know it sounds cliche’ but … reading with/to a child really makes a difference. As a kid, my parents had me sit next to them while they read the newspaper … they’d ask me if I wanted to read and, of course, I did so, not really being able to read, I’d make up stories about what the words may be saying. I grew up loving the whole concept of reading.

I always took my sons to the library with me once a week; they were allowed to pick out any books they wanted and every night we had “reading” time before bed…they were allowed to stay up 1/2 later as long as they were reading.

I encourage my kids in reading by actively engaging them in reading program and getting more variety books and involve in their reading and ask/talk about their experinece or liking of each book they read. We are a middle class family and can not afford to buy full price book, but we have accumulated over 500 books buying from library when they have book sale and most of the books were almost new. I limit the tv, gaming time, so there’s a plenty of opportunity for them to grab those books when ever they feel like and read.

It is important to make them part of the process. From getting ready to go to the book store, getting a snack there, talking about all the different types of books, going to a “reading”… then letting them pick out their very own book. It’s all in how you share the experience.